Cricket is a cruel game, or is it not? Sri Lanka, who at the beginning were rated as the favorites for the Asia Cup couldn’t even manage a single victory by the end of it.
Earlier in the morning, Mushfiqur Rahim decided to bowl first after winning the all-important toss. Mahela and Dilshan walked out to open the innings, on the other hands Mashrafe and Nazamul began the proceeding with the ball.
Didn’t take too long before Sri Lanka’s big three were back in the dressing room already. Lankan batting pillars (Mahela, Sangakkara, Dilshan) batted really casually and got out to some pretty ordinary deliveries.
Three quick wickets earlier on in the innings dented Sri Lankan hopes to get off to a flying start. As expected, a relatively inexperienced middle order couldn’t have propelled right away. Both Thrimanne and Kapugedra took their time to steady the things. After putting on a 88 runs stand of 136 balls, the pair uncoupled when Thrimanne was finally dismissed in an unfortunate fashion.
As a result of that wicket, out came Tharanga who again found himself amongst runs. Tharanga was looking good but eventually ran out of partners. Sri Lanka lost all of their 10 wickets for a mere 233 run total in 49.5 overs. Tharanga was their ninth wicket to fall.
Bangladesh had a demanding task ahead of them. They needed 212 from 40 overs (D/L method was implied after weather interruption). Tamim Iqbal and Nazimuddin, the Bangladeshi openers came out to bat. Sri Lankan quicks created a few problems for Bengali top order (minus Tamim Iqbal). Bangladesh were 40/3 before Shakib ul Hassan joined Tamim Iqbal. Despite of the fact that Bangladesh had lost 3 quick wickets including their captain’s, both Shakib and Tamim didn’t hold back instead they counterattacked the Lankan bowling lineup. A quick 60 runs partnership among Tamim and Shakib smoothed the things for Bangladesh but quick fall of both Tamim and Shakib revamped the Lankan chances as Bangladesh were still 78 runs behind the finishing line. But solid hand from Nasir Hussain accompanied by Mahmudullah’s (almost) run a ball 30 runs innings ensured a 5 wicket Bangladeshi win.
Whole Bangladeshi crowd was rejuvenated after Nasir struck the winning runs. Extraordinary emotions were put on scene after Bangladesh’s this memorable victory over Sri Lanka. This victory also meant that Bangladesh has now qualified for the final of Asia Cup 2012. As a result Sri Lanka and India have been knocked out of the tournament and Bangladesh will now play Pakistan in the tournament final.
It is only the second time that Bangladesh have qualified for an ODI final. Following their form and spirits it won’t be a surprise if they surpass Pakistan on March 22, 2012 to go on and become the Asian champions. Bangladesh by no means are a minnow anymore.
Shakib ul Hassan was adjudged the man of the match due to his 2/56 with the ball and 56(46) with the bat.
GeoSuper